Defense czar says many judges resign to secure their pensions and benefits after completing their terms
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said cross-border attacks from Afghanistan continue to undermine Pakistan’s security, suggesting that a written commitment from the Afghan Taliban regime – backed by guarantees from friendly countries – could help pave the way to stability.
Speaking on the Express News On Saturday’s Center Stage, he highlighted contradictions in the Taliban regime’s statements, noting that while they claim Afghan territory was never used against Pakistan, “the evidence suggests otherwise.”
Asif said Pakistan had repeatedly conveyed a clear position to Kabul: terrorism must not emanate from Afghan territory, calling for a formal commitment from the Taliban administration. “If terrorism does not happen on your territory, then give a guarantee that it will never happen. It is only fair: give an assurance that this has never happened before and will not happen in the future,” he added.
Read: Pakistan tells Afghanistan: act against TTP or no trade
He suggested that a written commitment, supported by friendly states such as Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, China and Qatar, acting as guarantors, could help pave the way to stability. “I am only saying this to find a solution,” he added.
The defense minister said that the two recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan were linked to Afghanistan. He said those killed in the Wana attack were all Afghan nationals, with “no person of Pakistani origin among them”, and added that the Islamabad attack also traced back to Afghan territory.
Claiming that the Taliban government has failed to bring about improvements in the situation of Afghan citizens despite its three-year mandate, Asif said Afghanistan has become a “safe haven” where militants from around the world operate “under the umbrella of Kandahar.” These groups, he explained, move their targets “at their convenience – sometimes to Russia, other times to Pakistan.”
He described Afghanistan as a country in the midst of institutional collapse. “Afghans are unemployed. The country has no economy, no rule of law, no functioning justice system, no administrative structure. By all accounts, it is a failed state,” he noted.
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On a trade-related issue, Asif said the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan should function as a formal international border. He argued that given repeated cross-border attacks, it should no longer operate in the informal manner it did for decades.
“They have not attacked our existence once, but repeatedly,” he said, adding that regulating movement within established border protocols would also curb smuggling, including the illicit flow of dollars.
The Defense Minister has confirmed that the terms of office of the Army Chief and the Chief of Defense Force (CDF) will begin simultaneously on November 27, 2025, according to a new notification. He defended the CDF’s position by comparing it with similar structures in Britain and the United States, saying that the current army chief and the CDF are “worthy” and have demonstrated their wartime capabilities.
He rejected claims that excessive authority had been concentrated in a single military office, adding that future appointments of army chiefs will be handled by the Defense Ministry, which remains accountable to Parliament and the prime minister.
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Asif claimed that many judges resign to get pensions and benefits after completing their term. He urged those resigning on principle to publicly state their reasons rather than waiting for “lifetime privileges”.
He insisted that the government had not encroached on judicial powers, denied that any authority had been transferred to the executive and said the procedures for the appointment and transfer of judges remained unchanged.
